FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 16, 2012

PHOENIX – Arizona Republican Party Chairman Tom Morrissey issued the following statement regarding today’s commemoration of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of this nation’s most significant Civil Rights leader, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. It was the Dr. King who proclaimed his vision in his August, 1963 ‘I Have A Dream’ speech, that America would someday become a nation where individuals would no longer be judged based on the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

“Today we commemorate Dr. King’s life and vision by continuing to strive for justice and equal opportunity for every American. While America is clearly a better country due to Dr. King, the work of forming a ‘more perfect union’ remains an unending and unwavering aspiration. We must remain vigilant and committed to resisting and stopping prejudice, hate and injustice that unfortunately remains present in certain segments of society.”

“As Republicans, we strongly affirm that America must be a nation where ‘liberty and justice’ reigns for all. Let us honor the memory of Dr. King, by recommitting ourselves to his vision of a land where freedom forever rings.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 11, 2012
CONTACT: Andrew LeFevre

Statement of Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board’s Decision to Immediately Suspend Their Mexican American Studies Program

Phoenix, AZ, January 11, 2012 – Today, Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal released the following statement regarding the action by the Tucson Unified School District’s (TUSD) governing board to immediately suspend their Mexican American Studies Program:

“Last night, by a 4-1 vote, the governing board of the Tucson Unified School District resolved that ‘All Mexican-American Studies (MAS) courses and teaching activities, regardless of funding source, shall be suspended immediately.’

I am very encouraged by the swift and decisive action taken by the members of the governing board last night to address the issues that I raised in my final ruling on January 6, 2012 of the district being in violation of A.R.S. § 15-112.

I am currently reviewing the official resolution that was adopted by the governing board and, upon consultation with TUSD representatives, will make a determination on appropriate method to verify their compliance with A.R.S. § 15-112.

I look forward to working with Superintendent Pedicone and other TUSD leadership to find ways to improve their schools and to provide a quality education for all TUSD.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 27, 2011

Statement of Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal on Administrative Law Judge’s Decision that the Tucson Unified School District’s Mexican American Studies Program is in Violation of A.R.S. § 15-112 

Phoenix, AZ, December 27, 2011– Today, Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal released the following statement on the decision of Administrative Law Judge Lewis Kowal that affirmed the Tucson Unified School District’s (TUSD’s) Mexican American Studies Program was in violation of A.R.S. § 15-112 as per his ruling from June 15, 2011:

“I was very pleased to receive Judge Kowal’s decision today affirming the ruling that I made on June 15 that TUSD’s Mexican American Studies Program was in violation of A.R.S. § 15-112.

In my role as State Superintendent of Public Instruction I have a legal responsibility to uphold the law and a professional imperative to ensure that every student has access to an excellent education.

Upon taking office on January 3, 2011, I was faced with the immediate circumstance of the Tucson Unified School District being found in violation of A.R.S. §15-112 by the outgoing Superintendent. Instead of making a snap decision on the matter, the Arizona Department of Education, at my direction, conducted an intensive investigation, spanning many months, of TUSD’s Mexican American Studies Department (MASD) and its program.

In the end, I made a decision based on the totality of the information and facts gathered during my investigation – a decision that I felt was best for all students in the Tucson Unified School District. The Judge’s decision confirms that it was the right decision.

I will be issuing my final ruling regarding the matter in the near future after a thorough and deliberate review of the Judge’s decision.”

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Click here to view the embedded video.

Be sure to subscribe to Bill’s YouTube Channel.

Yesterday’s recall election was a major success for Randy Parraz and crew. They made political history by defeating a sitting State Senator and placed the “trophy political kill” of Russell Pearce on their wall.

With their success behind them, will Parraz and crew now be intellectually consistent in their agenda of cleaning up the corruption by pursuing the recall of State Representative Ben Arredondo?

Perhaps Parraz’ comment from an interview with the Arizona Republic on election night will shed some insight where he intends to take his leftist political machine next:

Parraz said he and his allies may go after other politicians whom he blames for poisoning Arizona’s political discourse, singling out Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was at Pearce’s side throughout the recall campaign.

“We’re looking at other people, like Sheriff Arpaio,” Parraz said. “If that’s the type of politics Sheriff Arpaio wants, we’ll see what happens in the new year.”

Parraz’ political agenda has never been about cleaning up corruption – especially the kind of corruption Democrats thrive on. It’s about taking down elected officials who are strong on immigration policy. Parraz’ motives are racially based and align with the La Raza agenda. And he will use that racial hatred to divide communities and bolster his political resume.

So who’s next on Parraz’ political hit list? Arredondo or Arpaio?

Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

A Panel Discussion: The Mexican-American “Raza” Controversial Ethnic Studies Program in the Tucson Unified School District

Phoenix, AZ – On Saturday, September 10, 2011, Arizona Mainstream Project (AMP) will bring to the public a panel discussion on the controversial Mexican-American or “Raza” ethnic studies program being taught in the Tucson United School District (TUSD). Speaking on this panel will be Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne, Andy LaFevre (Public Relations Director for AZ State Superintendent John Huppenthal), Loretta Hunnicutt (founder TU4SD), John Ward (former ethnic studies teacher), Lisa Ruth (educator/activist), Rey Torres (President of Arizona Latino Republican Association), and Gabriela Saucedo Mercer (activist/CD 7 candidate). KFYI Talk Host Terry Gilberg will be moderating this panel discussion.

The panel will not only discuss events leading up to Superintendent John Huppenthal’s recent report that found TUSD in violation of A.R.S. 15-112, but will also discuss the real objectives of this controversial curriculum taught in the Tucson Unified School District; these include the overthrow of our government, ethnic resentment, and the redefining of “la familia.” The TUSD Mexican-American Ethnic Studies program is widely seen as a “militant” model to be spread throughout the country.

Each panel member will share their personal experience and direct involvement with uncovering the facts of this issue and how it has negatively impacted the Tucson community and how it affects all of America. You will gain an understanding of its history, the current legal battles, and needed citizen activism to stop this anti-American agenda.

This event will be held at the Phoenix Airport Marriott Hotel located at 1101 North 44th Street in Phoenix, Arizona, from 2 pm- 5 pm, MST.  Cost to attend is $15.00 per person. This panel discussion will be STREAMED LIVE from AMP’s website. Click on the “View Live Stream Now” button on our homepage www.ArizonaMainstreamProject.org and follow the instructions.

Go to www.ArizonaMainstreamProject.org for more information about this event and to purchase a ticket, or contact Honey Marques, Executive Director, at 808-283-3661 or email honey@arizonamainstreamproject.org.

Any press who plans to attend and cover this story, please contact Honey Marques to discuss arrangements and set up at 808-283-3661.

Arizona Mainstream Project is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit charitable grassroots organization whose mission is to attract, educate, and mobilize the people of Arizona around America’s founding principles and leadership. AMP believes in the principles of a constitutionally limited government, free markets, fiscal responsibility, and individual liberty to promote the common good and prosperity for the people of Arizona.

]]> http://sonoranalliance.com/2011/09/01/yet-another-trumped-up-investigation-against-sheriff-arpaio-dismissed-by-the-courts/feed/ 8 http://sonoranalliance.com/2011/06/20/huppenthal-determination-that-mas-violates-law-rests-on-far-more-than-audit/ http://sonoranalliance.com/2011/06/20/huppenthal-determination-that-mas-violates-law-rests-on-far-more-than-audit/#comments Tue, 21 Jun 2011 01:17:55 +0000 Guest Opinion http://sonoranalliance.com/?p=20064

By Arizona State Superintendent of Public Instruction, John Huppenthal

I stand by my decision to hold the Tucson Unified School District in violation of A.R.S. § 15-112.

My finding that TUSD was in violation was drawn after months of careful analysis of substantial information gathered by the state Department of Education’s investigation of TUSD’s Mexican American Studies department (MAS). It should be stressed that due to time and scope limitations of the external audit, it was a limited part of my comprehensive investigation of MAS.

Books, teaching guides, PowerPoint slides, handouts and other classroom and reading materials associated with MAS and its courses were reviewed and held up against the standard: Did the material’s content, in isolation or in aggregate, violate the law?

Books found in MAS classrooms and/or on coursework reading lists were examined. Excerpts from some of these materials on which my determination was based were made readily available in hard copy at the press conference and sent, in digital form, to members of the media.

Much to my frustration the external auditors did not thoroughly analyze the books gathered for evidence. Instead, the auditors chose primarily to focus on their limited classroom observations and on-site interviews as the basis for their overreaching conclusions. Inexplicably, the auditors did not review substantial physical evidence found in the classroom or on coursework syllabi and reading lists made available to them.

Not auditing a substantial portion of information gathered was problematic when trying to reach valid, reasonable, fact-based conclusions. Furthermore, two-thirds of the MAS classes were not even observed, the observations took place during a narrow time window and TUSD was told in advance which week the audit would take place. Most audited classes were observed only once.

TUSD failed to provide any student coursework from the MAS classrooms, 11 MAS teachers were told not to participate in the audit by their lawyers, and administrators from the MAS program refused to be interviewed.

The external audit failed to provide a comprehensive review. Most educational audits are intensive and can last for six months. The auditors only spent one week observing classrooms at TUSD.

Despite the limited usefulness of the external audit, its final report did highlight materials such as textbooks deemed to be questionable, partisan, inflammatory, and age-inappropriate. It also pointed out TUSD’s lack of a comprehensive, transparent and statutorily compliant curriculum development and oversight process in regards to MAS. This lack of oversight of the MAS program ultimately led to its violations of A.R.S. § 15-112.

In my role as state superintendent of public instruction, I have a legal responsibility to uphold the law, a professional imperative to make decisions based on a totality of evidence gathered and an educational obligation to ensure that every student has access to an excellent education.

I made the decision I felt was best for all students in the Tucson Unified School District. For their sake, it is now up to the TUSD governing board to ensure its MAS program comes into compliance.

John Huppenthal is Superintendent of Public Instruction. Email him at adeinbox@azed.gov

Supporting Documentation:

John Huppenthal Official Statement on TUSD MAS Program
Citations from TUSD’s Mexican American Studies Program materials and resources
Kathy Hrabluk Official Statement on TUSD MAS Program
SPI Official Statement of Finding
TUSD Finding Document
TUSD Investigation Citations

Video of State Superintendent Huppenthal’s recent appearance on KAET:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Congratulations to Mike Shaw for having his video work featured on Glenn Beck’s show today. Beck was especially interested in Shaw’s revelation and coverage of former Colorado professor Ward Churchill who appeared in middle of the protest. Churchill, who was fired from the University of Colorado at Boulder because he referred to victims of the 9/11 attacks as “Little Eichmanns” was obviously in on the protests to orchestrate and organize the student protest.

Here is the video from Glenn Beck’s show:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here is the video that Mike produced:

Click here to view the embedded video.

(Sometimes it’s just best to show leftists in their rawest form.)

Here are the latest videos from the takeover of the TUSD Board meeting by La Raza students. These were loaded up on the Three Sonorans YouTube channel. One of the Three Sonorans is David A. Morales a Hispanic activist who promotes his anti-American agenda through his videography hobby. Mr. Morales is also a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Mathematics at the University of Arizona.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

KMSB-11 Tucson covered the story here.
KGUN-9 Tucson covered the story here.
KVOA-4 Tucson covered the story here.
KOLD-13 Tucson covered the story here.

Other video that was shot:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Got more videos or photos? Post a link in the comments!

In this latest video, Morales lists Russell Pearce, Tom Horne, John Huppenthal, Jon Justice, Rich Kronberg, Doug MacEachern, Mark Stegeman and John Pedicone in “The 8-Fold Wheel of Hate.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

When Mr. Morales is not practicing applied mathematics, he is producing and writing independent films about sex, drugs and crime in addition to filming the harassment of elected officials.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The video was loaded up to a YouTube account under the name of “WhatABCs” which was created by David A. Morales. Mr. Morales is a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Mathematics at the University of Arizona.

When Mr. Morales is not practicing applied mathematics, he is producing and writing independent films about sex, drugs and crime in addition to filming the harassment of elected officials.

by Ward Connerly The concept commonly known as “affirmative action” in America has a noble beginning. Originated during one of the most tumultuous periods in American history – the “civil rights” era – affirmative action was launched in 1961 to usher in a policy of nondiscrimination. By the mid-1960′s, affirmative action had been transformed into a series of policies and programs whose purpose was to increase the number of “minorities” in the public workplace, in pubic contracting, and in public college enrollment. Throughout its history, it has been widely acknowledged that affirmative action, as it was evolving, could not endure. In fact, at frequent times following its creation, even members of the United States Supreme Court, while affirming the continued use of race as a constitutional approach in certain areas of American life, strongly suggested that the day would come when affirmative action would have to yield to the fundamental principle of equal treatment for all Americans without regard to race or color. A prominent Arizonan, former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, opined in 2003 that “a core purpose of the Fourteenth Amendment was to do away with all governmentally imposed discrimination based on race. Accordingly, race-conscious … policies must be limited in time. Enshrining a permanent justification for racial preferences would offend this fundamental equal protection principle.” For the appropriate time to end race preferences in Arizona, “that time is now,” the Arizona Republic so eloquently put it in one of its editorials. By a 60-40 percent margin, the people of Arizona concurred on November 2, 2010. Now, with the election behind us, the process of applying principles of true equality to the public sector of Arizona life must begin in earnest. As one who has been involved in all five of the statewide ballot initiatives in America that have ended race preferences. I believe it might be useful to address some of the criticisms and concerns expressed before and in the aftermath of the passage of Proposition 107. First, there are those who suggest some sort of “right wing” effort underway to “turn back the clock” on equal opportunity in Arizona. Construing Proposition 107 as part of some “anti-ethnic” conspiracy is blatantly false, especially when one considers that an identical initiative passed in such blue states of California, Michigan and Washington by margins of 55-45, 58-42 an 59-41, respectively. The fundamental pillars of American society are freedom and the principle of equal treatment for all without regard to the color of our skin, our gender or our ethnic background. People flock to our nation from all around the globe in pursuit of a better life for themselves and their families based on these principles. Implicit in these principles is the belief in the concept of individual merit. Some fear that applying colorblind government will have the “unintended consequence” of erasing “diversity” at the university and in the workplace. That fear is misplaced, first because “diversity” involves more than skin color and ethnic background; and second, if we accept the premise that “civil rights” belong to all of us, regardless of skin color, then diversity must necessarily be secondary to equality. This does not mean that the university and other institutions are forbidden from casting a wide net when they recruit. To the contrary, such strategies are encouraged by the spirit of 107 to ensure that nondiscrimination is occurring. University of Arizona President Robert Shelton is correct when he states that there are race neutral methods of pursuing “diversity” within the legal framework of 107 and we offer our assistance to him in the pursuit of that objective. A simple solution to enable many so-called diversity programs and scholarships to continue is to expand their access to all, without regard to race or gender. As a matter of equity and fairness public funds should not be used to discriminate. This prohibition also applies to private funds routed through the University. On the other hand, explicit preferences in contracting, such as one being implemented by a major Arizona municipality, cannot survive the demand of 107 for equal treatment. Such contracting bid preferences must be terminated. In their place, however, nothing forbids a municipality from “casting a wide net” among small businesses by assisting with the removal of procurement obstacles that confront small business owners of all ethnic and gender backgrounds. As one who traveled from one end of Arizona to the other – and all parts in between – I can attest to the goodwill of those who voted in favor of 107. Their motives are pure and their faith in the principle that all of us are “created equal” is now a constitutional dictate of Arizona. In 2011, we will observe the fiftieth anniversary of “affirmative action.” It has served a useful purpose during its existence. But, like many government creations, the dynamics of a vibrant and creative society such as America, have made government-sanctioned discrimination an unacceptable cure for the disease of racial discrimination. We must now live out the American creed of equal treatment from our government for all of our people.

]]> http://sonoranalliance.com/2010/11/28/ward-connerly-on-where-we-go-now-that-prop-107-has-passed/feed/ 2 http://sonoranalliance.com/2010/10/19/court-issues-restraining-order-against-anti-prop-107-spokesman/ http://sonoranalliance.com/2010/10/19/court-issues-restraining-order-against-anti-prop-107-spokesman/#comments Wed, 20 Oct 2010 03:13:12 +0000 Press Release http://sonoranalliance.com/?p=15955 A m e r i c a n P o s t – G a z e t t e

Distributed by C O M M O N S E N S E , in Arizona

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

For Immediate Release
Contact Leon Drolet at 602-845-0107
www.arizonacri.org

Court restrains anti-Prop 107 spokesperson who threatens to attack Ward Connerly

Phoenix, AZ – A Maricopa County Court official issued a legal restraining order against the spokesperson for a group opposing Proposition 107 on Friday after he sent a public message threatening to physically attack Ward Connerly, a pro-Prop 107 leader.

Anti-Prop. 107 spokesperson Steve Russell was ordered to stay more than 100 feet away from anti-affirmative action leader Connerly after Russell publicized his threat late Thursday night.

Proposition 107 would ban race and gender based affirmative action in Arizona. Connerly is nationally known for opposing government race and gender preferences and was participating in a debate on Prop. 107 hosted by the Goldwater Institute in Phoenix. Russell is a designated spokesperson for a group calling itself ‘Protect Arizona’s Freedom’, which supports Arizona’s existing affirmative action programs and opposes Prop. 107. Russell was not part of the Goldwater debate.

Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Clancy Jayne issued Friday’s court order after Russell sent out the threatening electronic message late Thursday evening following the debate. Russell announced publicly on his Twitter account that he “would not hesitate to punch connerly [sic] in the face if I saw him…”

Russell served as spokesperson for PAF at the taping of a televised Secretary of State Town Hall Meeting in September. During his taped official PAF statement opposing Prop. 107, Russell accused Connerly, who is black, of being financially supported by the Ku Klux Klan.

“Unfortunately, I must take violent threats seriously, especially when they are in the context of other inflammatory rhetoric, such as has been characteristic of Mr. Russell” Connerly stated. “A few affirmative action supporters are quite radical and I have been threatened before. Mr. Russell has attempted to incite hatred against me with his bizarre KKK smears, and now feels compelled to brag about his willingness to assault me physically. I don’t know how stable Steve Russell is.”

Russell describes himself as “radical, somewhat socialistic” on the profile he provides to online dating website Match.com.

PAF is lead by AZ State Rep. Krysten Sinema (D-Phoenix), who serves on the group’s advisory committee. Rep. Sinema recently told Time Magazine that, “I’m very concerned about the tone of politics in recent years. We’ve seen a decline in civility and bipartisanship, and a rapid increase in hostility between those who have differing opinions. I think this has led to the alienation of the public in governance, which jeopardizes democratic participation.”

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2023831_2023829_2025183,00.html#ixzz12V061JIK

Connerly called on Rep. Sinema to walk her talk on civility.

“I call on Rep. Sinema, the Mayor of Phoenix, and other high profile public officials who are opposing 107 to condemn Mr. Russell and disassociate themselves from his threats,” Connerly stated. “I have been threatened before and have had a pellet gun fired at my office building because of my stance in favor of the principle of equal treatment for all. No one should be threatened with violence in our nation because of their views.”

# # # #

Phoenix, AZ – A Maricopa County Court official issued a legal restraining order against the spokesperson for a group opposing Proposition 107 on Friday after he sent a public message threatening to physically attack Ward Connerly, a pro-Prop 107 leader.

Anti-Prop. 107 spokesperson Steve Russell was ordered to stay more than 100 feet away from anti-affirmative action leader Connerly after Russell publicized his threat late Thursday night.

Proposition 107 would ban race and gender based affirmative action in Arizona. Connerly is nationally known for opposing government race and gender preferences and was participating in a debate on Prop. 107 hosted by the Goldwater Institute in Phoenix. Russell is a designated spokesperson for a group calling itself ‘Protect Arizona’s Freedom’, which supports Arizona’s existing affirmative action programs and opposes Prop. 107. Russell was not part of the Goldwater debate.

Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Clancy Jayne issued Friday’s court order after Russell sent out the threatening electronic message late Thursday evening following the debate. Russell announced publicly on his Twitter account that he “would not hesitate to punch connerly [sic] in the face if I saw him…”

Russell served as spokesperson for PAF at the taping of a televised Secretary of State Town Hall Meeting in September. During his taped official PAF statement opposing Prop. 107, Russell accused Connerly, who is black, of being financially supported by the Ku Klux Klan.

“Unfortunately, I must take violent threats seriously, especially when they are in the context of other inflammatory rhetoric, such as has been characteristic of Mr. Russell” Connerly stated. “A  few affirmative action supporters are quite radical and I have been threatened before. Mr. Russell has attempted to incite hatred against me with his bizarre KKK smears, and now feels compelled to brag about his willingness to assault me physically. I don’t know how stable Steve Russell is.”

Russell describes himself as “radical, somewhat socialistic” on the profile he provides to online dating website Match.com.

PAF is lead by AZ State Rep. Krysten Sinema (D-Phoenix), who serves on the group’s advisory committee. Rep. Sinema recently told Time Magazine that, “I’m very concerned about the tone of politics in recent years. We’ve seen a decline in civility and bipartisanship, and a rapid increase in hostility between those who have differing opinions. I think this has led to the alienation of the public in governance, which jeopardizes democratic participation.”

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2023831_2023829_2025183,00.html#ixzz12V061JIK

Connerly called on Rep. Sinema to walk her talk on civility.

“I call on Rep. Sinema, the Mayor of Phoenix, and other high profile public officials who are opposing 107 to condemn Mr. Russell and disassociate themselves from his threats,” Connerly stated. “I have been threatened before and have had a pellet gun fired at my office building because of my stance in favor of the principle of equal treatment for all.  No one should be threatened with violence in our nation because of their views.”

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